Apologies and Sharing

Okay, faithful readers. I must apologize profusely for my failure to post AT ALL during the summer. Unfortunately, you all know how life gets in the way of the best intentions. Not only did I have to get the house ready for Daddy-o to come home, I had to find a job for the first part of the summer. I also had to keep the secret from Little Man. Girl was on top of keeping me from giving it away, as best she could. Daddy-o got to leave the facility July 6th. I picked him up at 8:30-ish, and thankfully Little Man had summer school, so the wait for him to see his daddy was fairly short. I can't tell you how amazingly wonderful it has been to have Daddy-o home. It has been a very long 8 and a half years, and the family unit is doing mighty fine! Daddy-o got a job 3 days after getting home, and has worked his buns off since. Between the paying job and the ever-growing list of honey-dos, he has been a busy man. But he's thrilled to be able to do them for his family. We have so much enjoyed seeing him every morning, and definitely have profited from his amazing cooking skills - although I have lost(?)some weight. So, between the job, getting ID, a driver's license for Daddy-o, Girl studying for a permit, a vehicle for Daddy-o, visiting other family, and keeping up with local visits, our little family has been on the go for 2 months straight. We feel like summer was too short (although Girl was very ready for school to start. In all honesty, I was too. Daddy-o told me to take the month of August off and rest up because "you earned it baby." Who was I to argue? But I was bored after the first couple of days. *shrug* Daddy-o has adapted to life here well, and we could not be more proud of the man he has become. Our relationship is probably at the best it has been in the 11 years we have been together, and things just keep getting better. Now, sharing some....Girl was able to get her hair done for school, and it looks fabulous! She covered some of the roots, and the stylist added some purple and green streaks (not crazy, but pretty). Girl has been experimenting with some new hairstyles and has really come out of her shell and rut. Color this mama a bit worried. Little Man has been dreading the end of the summer since the day school got out in May. Poor guy. I hope the teacher this year can help him find the joy I felt in school. Both the children went to visit Daddy-o's family for 2 weeks this summer, and came home with new skills. They both got to drive on Papa's land, and Little Man practiced his bike riding skills. Girl helped Nana run the shop, and met a lot of new people. So, I hope that my apology has been worthwhile and the sharing has helped ease the pain of missing the blog for the summer. Please feel free to comment, and if anyone of the readers has any ideas on how to help me with adding photos, I would sure appreciate an email with that. I also hope everyone's summer was outstanding!

Last Day of the Month

So, watch for the comment winners. I hope this month has been fun and different for you, dear readers. Next month will have a different schedule and new photos for sure! Have a fantastic day! Enjoy your time with your family and friends.

Wednesday

Last day of school (and strangely the busiest), and second to last day of the comment contest this month. Who will the secret winner be? I am considering using Random.org to help me pick the winner of the contest.

I am also sure that when the contests start again in September, I will have tons of new ideas for the winners of the contests. I am contemplating on a writing package of a journal, pens, post-its, and index cards. I am also thinking of gift certificates to various stores. Feel free to add your input. I would love to know what would interest you for prizes.

What other contests should I have? I was thinking about working on my writing, and thought of the great Twitter contest of writing a story in 140 characters. I also thought about the 6 Word Sentence or seeing what responses I can get with some other memes.

I just found one called 30 Days of Me, and am considering it for one of the months. It certainly would help me with some of my blogging skills. Best look into it before I dive in.

Let me know if you have any further ideas - and for the record, I think I will keep the snowplowing of piddle story for a rainy day!

Tuesday

Today is the second to last day of school for this year.

The year has flown by. I have seen a lot of changes over this year. I was sorry to see some students make the decisions they made, but have seen some good come from other students opting for alternatives to our school.

I am proud of the students who forged ahead, setting the goal for themselves to complete the requirements. I wish the other students good luck for their future.

There are 2 faculty who will retire this year, and although this was a surprise, it was not a big one. One teacher taught me when I attended here, and I know he has also seen a lot of changes, and some of them aren't so good. Not all of them are bad, just some aren't so good. The other staff member has been here awhile, and has been a strong IDP and aide. It is time for her to be a grandmother though.

I am sure that the summer will also fly by, and that next school year will be here all too soon. However, I am going to be thrilled when I get paid again!

I hope that you are all ready for summer vacation to start, and will be just as ready for school to begin in the fall.

Have a great day today! Enjoy the weather, the birds, the flowers, the children.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, so I will be spending it remembering those who are gone but not forgotten.

I will return tomorrow to regular posts.

Sunday Morning

I have frequently taken my Sundays as days of reflection, so pardon me if this goes a little weird.

I am sitting here thinking about how much my daughter has meant to me over the years, and trying to avoid being a weepy woman. She is a strong young lady, which means I have done well. I love my son just as much. We are a strong family unit. I am sure that when Daddy-o comes home, we will work to make the unit function with the addition of his presence. It worked before, and can work again, but should work better because of the man he has become.

I am thankful for the support of the friends and family who have stood behind Daddy-o, and our family, as we have waited for his return.

I am thankful for the letters and phone calls we have shared with Daddy-o, and that we all have learned to communicate a bit more effectively.

I am thankful for the time apart, to help us both appreciate what we have had in each other. This time has also helped me to more fully appreciate my own strength, and that of my children.

I am also thankful for the chances my children give me to break down, and not be the strong one, or the one who has to be responsible and be both parents, and the chances to let the weight come off my shoulders, even for a few moments

I am truly thankful for the opportunities I have had over the years because of my single parenthood, and the results of those opportunities.

 I am thankful for the cynicism of my mother, and because I know she wants the best for me, I also know she will be happy for me if I am happy.

Take the good with the bad, for that cannot be good without bad. I am me and my circumstances (Sr. Unamuno y Jugo). I would not be me without the experiences I have had.

Happy Birthday, Girl!

I want to take the time to show my love for my fifteen year old angel.

Girl, you have no idea what you have meant to me over the last 15 years.

We have been through some interesting times, but through it all, we have been close and loving. Our strength together has gotten us through some tough times; Daddy-o going away, a tornado, and some important people leaving our lives. We have grown close, and I love that we are a great team.

I am proud of your every accomplishment, including teaching yourself to read at a higher level, setting your own vocabulary goals, serving the winning shot in AAU, learning your lines for the plays, and not letting your illness this year keep you from succeeding as a freshman. I am proud of the little things you do, and the big things you choose not to do. I am proud of you!

Thank you for all you have done for us, for all you have been for your brother, and all you will be in the future.

Stay strong, stay yourself, and I love you.

Wish us luck!

Today is the inspection. It will be after school, and although I know that I have nothing they can get me for, I'm still nervous. This is the second to last hurdle to get Daddy-o home with his family.

I am sure that things will be fine, and if I seem distracted, just bear with me. I will let you know how it goes as soon as possible. It might mean skipping weekend posting though.

Saturday is Girl's birthday, and she has made plans. Sunday is her birthday dinner with Papa, and that will be priority for the day, especially since she has requested my burritos, and my mother would like me to grill for her.

I am looking forward to her birthday for a few reasons, but am still a bit in shock she is going to be 15. This does not seem possible, but I know it has happened. She has been my precious little angel for 15 years. What a gift she has been. Despite my grey hairs, and wanting to yank her hair out occasionally, I have a super special young lady for a daughter.

If you see her, wish her happy birthday!

Have a fantastic Friday!

Last day of cleaning

and boy am I ready for it to be over! This inspection isn't for cleanliness, but it has been incentive for my children to get busy on the stuff they have put off way too long (just as I have).

I am glad it is winding down, so that I only have to do 15 minutes a day, as opposed to hours a day. If I were a stay at home mom I would probably go insane, because I would have TOO clean of a house. I know that sounds crazy to some of you, but I prefer a little clutter in my life. Just reminds me that I am human.

Tomorrow is the inspection, and it's going to go smoothly. There should be no problems, and no issues, so Daddy-o will get to come home when the welding class is done! *crosses fingers* Now you guys cross yours too!

I hope your spring cleaning has gone, or will go, as smoothly, and with as little effort as possible. Take the time to enjoy the fact you have been busy, with work, cleaning, or whatever, and enjoy yourself for a bit. It won't hurt, too bad!

Have a great day!

Whew, this cleaning thing...

it is a struggle, and I have muscles I didn't know I had, now that they are screaming at me in agony. Thank goodness for hot showers and Ben Gay!

I am sure that some one would say to me that I let it get this way, and by gosh, you are right. And in order to miss out on this particular pleasure again, I am determined not to let it get this way again. I know when Daddy-o comes home, this will be highly unlikely, because he IS the anal retentive person who cleans like no other. (Thank goodness, although it can be quite annoying for someone like me.) He has been really great about leaving me my space, to be as disorganized as I want, and he hasn't messed with it before, so here's to hoping this stays the same. It would only be my computer desk, and I go through bouts of "jeez this has to go." and "holy cow, this is a mess" with the desk, so, he should be okay with it - I hope.

I have learned that it is becoming easier for me to be less of a pack rat/hoarder/whatever you call it, although I come by it honestly. My maternal grandmother was, and my mother is, a pack rat. But sometimes this is a great quality, like for food staples, and when I need something desperately for my children's activities, or my cooking. Thanks Mama-san!

I have found things that I haven't used in 4 years (mostly because I haven't seen them in that long) and I realize that I don't need to keep them. I have also found things that I am super glad I kept - like pictures of my childhood, and my daughter as a toddler. She picked out two of those pictures for the senior slide show (and she's only going to be a sophomore!). She also found out she is her mother's daughter, thanks to one particular picture of her looking at the camera like "get out of my face!" which is so my look when a camera comes out!

This cleaning has given my daughter and I a chance to bond again. And Little Man has learned he's a super helper for the family. He also learned a new skill - laundry. He realized he can reach to the bottom of the washer, and has been a laundry-running fool. What a great pair of kids!

So, I recommend that you go through that box you wonder about in your garage, attic, storage space, what-have-you. Enjoy the memories that come back to you, and share them with someone, if possible. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Organization

You know we all do it (except for you real Suzy Homemakers and wanna-be Martha Stewarts)...we postpone the cleaning, and forgo the organization.

I hate cleaning, and am mostly an unorganized woman. However, I know where things are in my pile system. Really.

Now, with the inspection, cleaning is in order. And I really am determined to get at least semi-organized this go-round. I have had a spring cleaning urge, and it's coming to fruition with the inspection deadline coming quickly. Although I was expecting a bit more time, I am pretty glad it's coming down to the wire. I love a challenge (sometimes) and the fact that I have seen so much activity out of my daughter in the past few days is fantastically hope-giving - as in, there's hope for her yet.

Sure, I am not an anal retentive person when it comes to dusting, etc, but I do have some limits as to what I will tolerate. And her room was BAD! I will be glad to continue to remind her when you pile stuff up, like clothes, spiders love that, and she hates spiders. *evil Mom laugh*

Speaking of spiders, I got the joy of killing some fuzz for her on Sunday night. That was so fun! She came back to my room at 10:30 at night asking me to kill a spider for her. I know her fear, so I have been trying to get her to overcome it a little at a time. I suggested she put a shoe on and step on it. It was only as big as her pinkie nail, she said. She told me it was on the wall of her closet (she was taking the cleaning seriously I guess). So I go in, and attempt to kill the spider on the wall. It was a piece of fuzz. OMG I giggled about that. Now, in addition to my Native American name of She Who Hunts With Cars, you can call me Joe Fuzzkiller. LOL

Anyway, during this bout of spring cleaning, I am going to attempt to get rid of things I haven't even seen since I moved in (obviously I don't need them, right?) and any duplicates of things that it is not necessary to have a duplicate of. This will make things a bit easier. I also am going through my clothes and donating them. My daughter is donating her clothes also. My son will be donating clothes, toys, and books. This could be a big boon for the local community services.

I have most of my room complete (except for moving the furniture and finishing the closet), and will tackle Little Man's room next. With all this cleaning and organizing, taking that 15 minutes a day to do a quick dusting or picking up really will be so easy.

I have read a number of statements on de-cluttering and organization, but the thing that has stood out the most is to start small. Take things in 15 minute increments, to avoid getting overwhelmed. What a great idea. If I had the time for that, I would do that. But that reminds me to take a break to avoid overload during the big sessions.

Now, if you are going to attempt a large task, I suggest taking it in smaller chunks, or taking breaks. And if you want help, ask some of the local high school kids. I have some great students who are super good at helping, and have volunteered for our family often. I appreciate this very much!

Have a fantastic Tuesday and don't make your re-organization or spring cleaning too big of a chore!

Questions?

If anyone has any questions about Beta Sigma Phi, I will be happy to answer to the best of my ability, and you can also check out this site which has a link for prospective members.

I would like to point out that I continue to have a strong urge for a scavenger hunt, and I am hoping to get one together soon, and would love to have input and if anyone wants to join in, please let me know.

Today's post will be short because I am still working hard on getting my house ready for inspection, while continuing to work the full-time position during the day (only 6 more days for that though, until August 28th).

Please, I would love input! Oh, and I am still working on adding to the Pet Brag Board but my Yorkie needs a shave first.

Have a great day!

Heart and Hands

Today is the last meeting of our sorority until August, and it is our Heart and Hands meeting. For this meeting, we share a hand-made gift with the woman who we were the secret sister for over the previous months, and reveal ourselves as their secret sister. A secret sister gives gifts to a sorority sister for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, bad days, good days, or just because. These gifts can be simple, but touch a sister in so many ways.

I am looking forward to revealing that I was my mother's Secret Sister (which is EXTREMELY difficult to pull off when we shop together FYI) because she has been such a rock for me for the last 8 years. This year was just a small way for me to show my appreciation. Because of the first sentence in this paragraph, the scheduled time for this post will coincide with the start of the meeting. Hahahaha!

I really like the tradition of Heart and Hands because it brings out the Friendship part of our sorority. It also allows us to show off our skills, and our belief in our sisters in the sorority.

If you are a member of Beta Sigma Phi, please know that I am proud to call you Sister! Joining the sorority has been a great way for me to work on getting over my shyness about speaking in front of groups, and helped me to continue my love of learning, while celebrating the joy of being who I am, beyond mother or daughter.

I am looking forward to today's meeting, and seeing the great crafts and love behind each gift.

I hope all of you have a great day!

Writing

I haven't done a lot of posting about writing, and I know some of you don't really read the blog for my writing stuff. However, I would like to share more about writing, and specifically critique partners.

Readers may know that I started a writing group with the intention of helping each other critique stories, motivate each other, and offer additional advice (grammar, mechanics, ideas, etc). One of the writers and I have been really working with each other. Carol recently started her own blog and she intends to use it to share some of her stories, and progress for these stories. This is fantastic.

Carol has written one complete story that I am attempting to re-type for her, because her computer crashed. She had printed off the story before the crash, thankfully, and her father sent her a laptop for me to use to do this. While I re-type, I fix grammar and mechanics. This really works with my strengths.

I also advise her on her current WIP, especially when she feels like the story is lagging. The story doesn't lag, really, but us authors sometimes are our toughest critics. We have bounced ideas around in discussions, and she's been able to run with a few of them. She also has another story poking at her so hard that the new story is trying to over-run the current story.

Carol has also helped me with a visualization technique which has really helped me in descriptions of scene and character. I think I will be able to use it for POV work too.

I also have a young writer's group which has a few solid writers in it. I am looking forward to working more with them, and perhaps this summer might be a good time, since I don't have a job for those months, although I sure could use one! Still got bills to pay for those months. Hint, hint!

Do I have any readers who are writers out there? We sure could use some ideas for our little group. Please share in the comments any ideas you have.

Friday

Yay, it's Friday! Today is Daddy-o's birthday. He's now only 4 years younger than I am. Puppy.

And in a week and a day it will be Girl's birthday. What excitement for her. She will be studying for her learner's permit, and a friend will be coming to visit for 2 weeks. I'm going to enjoy having some help around the house! LOL

Little Man wants to visit Daddy-o so that just may happen. We didn't get a card for his birthday, so this will be a nice surprise. Little Man got to help out our neighbor and his son do his annual Mountain Man presentation for the 4th graders, which is awesome for Little Man.  Besides, the weekend will be taken up taking care of the house for inspection, and getting ready for Sorority.

This Friday is a busy day with the ferret visit and then getting to go see Daddy-o. I know, I know. I set myself up for it, but it's worth it in the end. Time with Daddy-o is pretty beneficial for all of us, and it truly is the quality of time, not the quantity. I think we all are looking forward to Daddy-o coming home.

I think I came to a strange and random decision today on a direction to take my writing, and am looking forward to experimenting and some research. More on this as time shows if it will work.

There are a few supporters of my writing out there, and I thank each of you for your help, your advice, and your belief in my ability.

Have a fantabulous Friday everyone!!

Another Busy Week

It surely seems that one can't sit down for five minutes this week. I feel like I've been on the run since Sunday, and that brief pause in the darker hours is merely a short re-charge, but not a complete charge.

Monday was a typical Monday for me, but not an outrageously difficult day. Just felt busy.

Tuesday was spent trying to get Little Man to finish a non-fiction book report that was due Monday, and then figuring out a visual aid for the presentation part was fun. Thankfully I have a friend with a ferret! Thanks Misty!

Wednesday was an early release day, but had a retirement party for a teacher that day, and that was followed by the final wellness class.

Today is a nail appointment day (and thank goodness, since I tried to remove one the other day - without the proper equipment and that really hurts). This just means I can sit still for a bit.

Tomorrow is Daddy-o's birthday, so a visit just might be in order.

Saturday will be taken up with getting the house ready for the inspection.

Sunday is the Heart and Hands meeting for sorority, so it will be busy too. I might look forward to Monday for a break.

I know we all are busy, so I am thinking we should all try to find five minutes to be thankful we can be this busy, this active, this full of life. I am grateful that I can do all this running without having to haul a cane, a walker, a wheelchair, or an army of assistants. Those folks who do all this running with these extras in their life are amazing! I also take my hat off to those folks who manage running with special needs kids (who are awesomely special kids!) too. These folks deserve recognition for the great love they possess, and spread to those who they touch.

Have a blessedly busy week!!

Mother's Day

How was your Mother's Day? Mine was pretty normal - in that it was a typical day, not a celebration of my fantastical SuperMom abilities. Yeah. Saturday I got Mas' lawn mower working, mowed her lawn, and mine, and gave out before the weed-eating could commence.

Let me tell you about my Sunday.

Girl had spent the night with a friend in Gtown, so me and the Mas had to go get her, dragging Little Man along. After Grumpy Girl got in the car, we headed for Wallyworld. Both Mas and I got what we needed and were starting the "picking just the right check-out line" process when Girl asks to go get her money so she could get me a card. I am in shock at the thought she wanted to, but also at the fact she would force us to stay in that store for more time. Silly Girl, she should know better by now.

After checking out, we drive over to the very nearby grocery store, where Mas proceeds to do her shopping, and I am sitting in the car with the children. Girl tells me to check her FB page. She posted a very nice paragraph in honor of me being her SuperMom. Sweet!

Little Man was fantastically sweet the whole day, and I feel bad because I forgot to put on the cool Mother's Day bracelet he made me. (I wore it yesterday for him!) Eventually my mother completes the shopping experience, and I help her load the groceries into the car, and Girl took the cart back.

I get  back into the car and Mas has some kind of green stuffed animal in a bag on her lap. I'm thinking she got me a frog. No, she got me a gecko. He's cute. (Bear in mind I got her a VERY nice piece of jewelry.) I decided to take her to Wendy's (cuz I'm sweet like that) for Mother's Day lunch. It was a different place - we hadn't eaten there in a few months - and it was kind of neat. Dude at the counter gave Mas a free drink and told her Happy Mother's Day! Sweet!!

Until.

Yep, I made a mess. Oh yeah. I had put garbage in Little Man's sack, and then set it on the table for him to take to the garbage can, and it tilted over, spilling left over ketchup on the bench. NICE! It was all me. I claim that goof. It wasn't too bad of a mess. Mas laughed.

Thankfully the trip was over. Time to go home. We unload everything, and I go home to make a no-sew blanket. Yep. Decided to be crafty after showing off my "packing stuff into a bag skills" earlier. Totally forgot to double knot before throwing it in the washer. It came out alright though. Girl had helped with the knotting, so many of the knots had stayed and no re-aligning was necessary (only re-tying).

After that excitement was settled down, I was trying to read, but my daughter decided she wanted to watch a movie. In our house, apparently we can only watch movies with the lights off (although I do admit the reflection of the lights can be quite irritating at times), so there went my reading time. My son was already in my room watching movies in there. Well, I was stuck. Not a real choice - either watch the movies, or play a computer game. Guess which I did.

Sure had fun finding things in that game! LOL!

Have a fantastical day!

Well? What did you think?

How many of you just loved that post? How many of you went to get your free gift? How many of you thought I was a lame-o? How many of you enjoyed the unique content?

Come on, it was a great idea, and quite a unique way of promoting their book release, right? I hope they sell out their first run! I want one sooooo bad. Those ladies are very helpful for me. Last month, the ladies also sent out some postcard bookmarks which, on one side, had a list of crutch word writers may find themselves using, and on the other side was information regarding their book. Another great idea for promoting their book!

Some of the blogs I follow (which in my lazy way means I have posts emailed to me every day the bloggers post) have mentioned promotion using social media. Hmmm. A platform for my future endeavors lies in this very blog, so now you know why I am pushing you to tell everyone you know about it! Silly minions, I will get you trained right some day!  LOL!!

So, has anyone been performing random acts of kindness, or participated in the Kindness Project?

Let's hear some stories. You all read my future acts. Your turn to share! Come on minions, speak up!

Random Act of Kindness Blitz!

A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community. 

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special, don't they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.

Kindness ROCKS!

To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ. And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I'm participating too!

I am randomly picking two wonderful ladies, who have stood beside me, supported me, and believed in me for more years than I care to share publicly. Cheryl Gulley, for my RAOK gift, I'm offering to weed-eat your yard one weekend this summer without a single complaint! Lynn Hansen, for my RAOK gift, I'm offering to help weed your flower beds one weekend (not the weekend Cheryl gets me, okay?)  

I really appreciate Cheryl and Lynn, who are two of the most awesome ladies EVER! If you know these two wonderful women and have a minute, please stop at the comment section and tell them how awesome they are!

Do you know someone special that you'd like to randomly acknowledge? Don't be shy--come join us and celebrate! Send them an email, give them a shout out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round. :)

Becca and Angela have a special RAOK gift waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Have you ever participated in or been the recipient of a Random Act Of Kindness?  Let me know in the comments!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big reveal!!! I can hardly contain my excitement! I know there will be some surprised folks, and maybe even some interested folks!

Whatever happens, I hope that I will have helped some lovely ladies out who have helped inspire me, remind me, and provoke me into some better writing. These ladies are Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. You can find their VERY useful site here. I love their Emotion Thesaurus, and many of their posts have been so useful for me. I am sure that their resource will be beneficial to some of my writer friends out there, and am happy to send folks their way.

On that note, are you telling your friends, neighbors, family, enemies about my blog? I saw a massive boost in visits one day last month, but numbers have dropped. I know we are busy, so, please, use the links at the bottom of the post. Email your family and friends the address.

Don't forget the comment contest is running this month. It's the last one until September!

I hope you had a great weekend, and I will see you here tomorrow!!